The Hemp Ban: A letter to Legislatures
Hello to All!
From inception HighBridge has been committed to education, social responsibility, and compliance. As we see significant attrition in our industry, the legitimate, strong players will not just survive, they will thrive. Most share the same standards and principles as HighBridge.
That said, there has recently been some concern, and much noise and chatter about pending legislation regarding the 2018 Farm Bill and how it might affect our industry. I have had the opinion that while this should not be ignored, it is not cause for panic or (worse) fear.
I was recently forwarded the attached, cogently parsed, opinion from Higher Profits Consulting. Please read, digest and share with anyone you believe would benefit from learning more about the true nature of this legislation and our realistic position. We encourage everyone to get involved, write your Senators and Representatives regarding this issue. It’s easy! We have attached a Template of the letter HighBridge has sent. Simply enter the name and address of your Senators and Representative, sign, and e-mail. (Most Legislators have their e-mail addresses published on their respective websites.)
Let me know if we can be of further help! Thank you.
Sincerely,
James Hunter
4:44 AM Thursday, Nov 13
Higher Profits Consulting:
Keep Calm & Collaborate. The THC Beverage Industry’s “Moment to Lead” with Clarity.
If Washington wanted to kill THC Beverages, they’d have done it January 1st. They didn’t. Here’s what that actually means:
Instead of ending hemp derived THC beverages, they have given us something far more valuable…TIME. Roughly one year to come together, align, and define what responsible Regulation should look like. This isn’t the end of THC beverages. It’s the beginning of how we legitimize them.
What’s Actually Happening:
Plenty of noise online right now, but here’s what’s real:
Lawmakers are reviewing language around the 2018 Farm Bill that impacts hemp-derived THC. The intent is to clarify and standardize, not instantly outlaw. The industry now has a rare opportunity to work with regulators rather than react to them.
Those who stay calm, organized, and unified will have the strongest influence on what happens next.
$ By the Numbers:
Hemp-derived THC beverages generated an estimated $1.1 billion in sales in 2024, creating thousands of jobs across 40+ states and driving meaningful state tax revenue. That’s not something regulators erase, it’s something they refine.
Let’s stop spreading fear and start spreading facts.
What the Industry Must Do Next:
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- Connect - Talk to other founders, operators, and distributors. Compare notes, share facts.
- Collaborate - Build shared standards for labeling, potency, safety, and responsible marketing.
- Communicate - Keep retailers, distributors, and consumers confident, not confused.
- Coordinate - Engage with industry alliances and credible associations already doing the work.
- Continue - Grow jobs, innovation, and tax revenue that prove our long-term value. There's strength in numbers - not in noise.
There's strength in numbers - not in noise.
Calm Is a Strategy:
Let's be clear: the sky is NOT falling. The government isn't turning off the lights tomorrow. But they're watching: our compliance, transparency, and trustworthiness matter. This is the time for leadership, not alarmism. It's how strong categories are born through unity, clarity, and credibility. If we work together now, we'll look back on this as the moment we stopped reacting and started defining.
* Call to Action:
If you're a THC beverage founder, distributor, or retailer, comment below or DM us. We're compiling state-by-state intel and connecting operators for coalition-building over the next few weeks.
Ask questions. Share insights. Step forward.
Together, we can build a national framework that supports innovation, protects consumers, grows jobs, and secures tax revenue for every state involved.
The next 12 months aren't a countdown — they're a runway. Let's use it wisely. Tag one founder or operator who needs to see this. Let's build this coalition together.
#THCBeverages #CannabisDrinks #HempDerivedTHC #2018FarmBill #ResponsibleRegulation #IndustryCoalition #FutureOfDrinking #ConsumerSafety #EconomicGrowth #SmallBusiness #PublicPolicy #CollaborateNotCompete